environmental sustainability. practical global implications,: edited by f. smith, st lucie press,...
TRANSCRIPT
Ecological Economics 38 (2001) 305–307
Book reviews
www.elsevier.com/locate/ecolecon
Environmental sustainability. Practical global im-plicationsEdited by F. Smith, St Lucie Press, Boca Raton,1997. ISBN 1-57444-077-2, p. 287
This book is based on papers delivered at anInternational Society for Ecological Economicsmeeting in Costa Rica in 1994. It defines andconceptualizes sustainability from a Southern (de-veloping country) perspective, addressing con-cerns that Northern (industrialized country)viewpoints have for too long dominated the sus-tainability debate. It starts off with a vision: aworld, 10 or 100 decades from now, where peoplelive in peace and comfort within natural limits.This vision calls for those in the North to stopacting in ‘rampant self-interest’ by reducing theirconsumption rates and learning from the South.In the opening, synthesis chapter, Smith comparesNorthern and Southern perspectives and attemptsto draw lessons from both. Although the reader isrepeatedly reminded that there is no single South-ern viewpoint, the impression is nevertheless cre-ated that North and South are distinctly differentin their approaches to and definitions of sustain-ability, a point open to debate.
The chapters are divided into two main sec-tions. The first four papers address conceptualissues — the synthesis chapter by Smith that setsthe scene; lessons about sustainable ways of lifefrom indigenous Amazonian tribes, by Caval-canti; an extremely insightful overview of com-mon property resources and their management byPrakash and Gupta, and a Southeast Asian per-spective on sustainable development by BongHeang. The remaining eight chapters focus on arange of case and country studies with environ-
mental and resource economics as their centraltheme. Although making a number of relevantpoints about the importance of local institutions,biodiversity, indigenous and local knowledge, in-centives and disincentives, and land and resourcetenure in sustainable development, the book failsto confront the paradox that most developingcountries have been forced to adopt Northerndefinitions and visions of sustainability in theirpolicies and strategies. The reality is that most ofthe ‘poor, young billions’ of the South havestrong visions of adopting the unsustainablelifestyles of the ‘rich, old millions’ of the North,and will switch to unsustainable practices if giventhe opportunity. Few effective disincentives forunsustainable practices exist. Unless growth isre-defined to include not only economic outputsbut also standing crops of resources, as advocatedby Smith in chapter 1, the global lure of unsus-tainable resource use will continue leading devel-oping countries down unsustainable pathways.
The substantial contribution from researchersfrom developing countries is refreshing, despitethe disadvantage of some awkwardly translatedchapters. In summary, the book is a useful refer-ence source. Although somewhat dated it providesvaluable insights and case studies to advance thesustainability debate from a developing countryperspective.
Christo FabriciusEn�ironmental Science Programme,
Rhodes Uni�ersity,Grahamstown 6140,
South AfricaE-mail: [email protected].
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